Bid Review Checklist: What to Check Before You Submit Your Tender

Your tender is written. But is it ready to submit?

Finishing the first draft isn’t the end of the bidding process.

Before pressing submit, you need to review your response from the evaluator’s perspective.

Use this checklist.

1. Have you answered every part of every question?

Break each question into individual requirements and check each one against your response.

2. Does the response address the evaluation criteria?

Check any scoring methodology provided by the buyer.

Make sure the information required to demonstrate a strong response is easy to find.

3. Are your claims supported by evidence?

Look for statements such as “We have extensive experience…”, “We deliver excellent service…” or “Our approach reduces risk…” Then ask: Where’s the evidence?

Add measurable results, examples or supporting information where relevant.

4. Is the response specific to this buyer?

Search for generic statements that could appear in any tender.

Your response should demonstrate an understanding of the particular contract and its requirements.

5. Are your commitments realistic?

Check every promise, KPI and commitment. Could your operational team actually deliver them if you win?

6. Is the response consistent?

Check that names, dates, numbers, staffing commitments and delivery approaches are consistent throughout the submission.

7. Have you checked social value?

If social value forms part of the evaluation, make sure commitments are relevant, specific and measurable.

8. Have you completed a compliance check?

Check:

• word/page limits
• required templates
• attachments
• declarations
• signatures
• file formats
• naming conventions
• submission requirements
• deadline

9. Has someone else reviewed it?

The person who wrote a response isn’t always the best person to conduct the final review.

A fresh reviewer may spot assumptions, missing evidence, unclear explanations and compliance issues that the writer has stopped noticing.

Want an experienced pair of eyes before you submit?

With askabidwriter.com Premium, you can submit your tender responses for review by experienced bid professionals.

We’ll look at areas including how effectively you’ve answered the question, the strength of your evidence, compliance, social value and opportunities to strengthen your response.

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